ENGINE DRIVERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 41, 18 February 1937, Page 11

ENGINE DRIVERS

PROGRESS IN DISPUTE

Good progress is being made in the dispute between the Wellington, Taranaki, Nelson, and Marlborough Engine Drivers' and their Assistants' Industrial Union of Workers and the employers, which vas continued today before the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. M. J.

Reardon)

With the exception of wages, agreement has been reached on nearly all points.

Overtime is to' be paid for at the rate of time and a half for the first four hours and double time thereafter.' There is an emergency clause, however, for. county councils to operate in special circumstances when the hours of work may be eight hours, night or day, at ordinary rates.

The usual travelling clause was agreed to. Traction engine drivers may agree to different hours. Those engaged on agricultural work can contract at payment of tonnage rates so long as the earnings are 10 per cent, above the ordinary rate of wages.

Travelling allowances are to be made, and when the worker is required to find his own accommodation he is to be paid 4s 6d a day extra; where the accommodation is found by the employer, 2s 6d a day is paid for food allowance.

Statutory holidays in respect of factory workers will be in accordance with the Factories Act, and other workers will observe the conditions in the establishment .where they are employed.

Dirt money is to be paid at 2s a day extra, except that workers engaged in clearing hospital refuse' are to be paid 2s 6d a day extra.

Before the luncheon adjournment today the following offer of wages was made by the employers:—Shift workers: first-class men, £5 10s a week; second-class, £5 ss; uncertificated,' £5; two working weeks' holiday on full pay each'year. Other workers: First-class men, £5 ss; second-class, £5; uncertificated, £4 15s; one working week's holiday on full pay each year.

For work done on holidays allowed by the Factories Act, workers in an establishment where no ■ award or agreement operates were offered a day's pay in addition to their weekly wage.'

The employers' offer is to be considered by the workers' representatives.